Utility company American Electric Power has agreed to settle a long-standing lawsuit over charges that emissions from its coal-fired power plants polluted the air over several states.

The settlement is viewed as one of the most significant victories for the Environmental Protection Agency, which filed the lawsuit in conjunction with several states and environmenatal groups. AEP has agreed to spend $4.6 billion on pollution control equipment and pay fines.

The EPA began cracking down on East Coast utility companies during the Clinton administration, accusing the power producers of violating the Clean Air Act.

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